THE 36-HOUR WEEK

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 21962, 5 March 1946, Page 5

THE 36-HOUR WEEK

FEWER HOURS: SAME PAY MR. BAXTER’S CRITICISM MANUFACTURERS’ SUPPORT (P.A.) CHRISTCHURCH, March 5. Criticism by the secretary of the New Zealand Federation of Labour. Mr. Baxter, of the practice of offering a 36-hour week for a 40-hour week pay is generally supported by manufacturers in Christchurch. Although the offer has been largely made by North Island firms to attract labour, particularly from the South Island, a similar offer has been made by one Christchurch firm.

“I agree entirely with Mr. Baxters contention that a reduction of hours below the 40-hour week must destroy that economic balance on which stabilisation depends.” said the president of the Federated Garment Council of New Zealand. Mr. A. M. Hollander. “At a time when everybody's standard of living depends on vital production and so much overtime is being worked in the clothing trade, it is unsound to have anyone advocating a 36-hour week. "Paid For By Consumer” "It is a reflection on the present method of price approvals adopted by the Price Investigation Tribunal, which, after all. is so closely associated with stabilisation that extra costs such as a reduced working week are ultimately paid for by the consumer. Such increased costs are recognised bv the Price Investigation Tribunal as an integral part of the basis on which the costs arc calculated. “While Mr. Baxter's condemnation is directed at one or two employers in the clothing industries who are making these uneconomic offers, it should be noted that in recently circulated claims for new awards two member unions of the Federation of Labour—the Woollen Mill Workers' Union and the Federated Clothing Workers' Unionhave both included a 35-hour week in their claims.”

When the apparent anomaly of trade unions claiming a 36-hour week when the proposal had been condemned by the secretary of the Federation of Labour was referred to union officials, it was pointed out that the claims referred to had been lodged before the 36-hour week question was discussed I#/ the federation. The point was made that for employers to offer a 3G-hour week of their own accord was tantamount to an invitation for the unions to _ have this provision included in claims for new awards.